Dukan Diet used by Kate Middleton could be dangerous

Washington ,
Sat, 19 Mar 2011ANI

Washington, mar 19 (ANI): The Dukan Diet, which is supposed to be the French version of the Atkins Diet, and which is allegedly being used by Kate Middleton, has been deemed as dangerous by a dietician.

The Dukan Diet has been making waves in Europe and now in America, but New York City-based dietician Tanya Zuckerbort has said it could be dangerous.

"The Dukan Diet is not based on any scientific data, and seems to be a modified version of the Atkins Diet," Fox News quoted Zuckerbort, as saying.

"This diet is protein-centric and highly restrictive in the initial stages, without much research to back it up," she said.

The Dukan Diet has been popular in France for years, and now Dr. Pierre Dukan is bringing his weight-loss plan overseas to North America.

It consists of high-protein, low-fat meals but adds very large amounts of water and oat bran.

The diet is cut into weeklong cycles with some including vegetables. There is no fruit allowed, but wine and dessert are allowed for a certain number of days.

And where exercise is concerned, the requirement is very light, about 20 minutes a day, with no elevators allowed.

Zuckerbrot was concerned about the restrictions on fruits and vegetables in the plan.

"A diet consisting of high fibre carbohydrates, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and a small amount of heart healthy fat is the key to looking and feeling your best," she said.

Dukan's book has already sold millions of copies worldwide and has been translated into 14 languages. But according to Zuckerbrot, the Dukan Diet already has a bad reputation in the world of dieticians.

"France's National Agency for Food, Environmental and Work Health Safety pointed out the Dukan Diet as one of 15 imbalanced and potentially risky diets," she revealed.

"The British Dietetic Association, has also listed the Dukan Diet as one of the five worst diets of 2011," she stated.

By eliminating key foods from your diet, Zuckerbrot said Dukan's plan can create a nutrition deficiency as well as high cholesterol and even kidney problems.

The bottom line with this diet is, it will more than likely come and go with the rest - there is just not enough variety.

"You will initially see weight loss on the Dukan Diet, but this eating plan is not sustainable," she said.

"Also a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates is expensive. This diet is just that, a diet, not a healthy maintainable lifestyle," , Zuckerbrot added. (ANI)